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Best Snowmachine & Snowmobile Boots Reviewed
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Durability
A quality product is one that will follow you through the years and work the same way it did on the first day you bought the product. In regard to boots, we assessed durability in a few key ways, analyzing the materials, details, construction methods and brands to deliver to you a simple opinion: will this set of boots do the job and do it again and again? Take a look at each area we evaluated:
The Materials
Which type of materials were the product made from? Are they synthetic or natural? How do they smell out of the box? All of these are critical questions we asked when evaluating the materials of the product. A pair of boots made from fabrics that don’t retain heat? They didn’t make our list!
The Details
Extra buckles, complimentary cases and reinforced fabrics are all good indicators of a manufacturer that is setting you up for long term success with their product. Attention to detail separates the high-quality producers from the cheap ones.
The Brand Name
A reputable brand is a signal of quality and trust. Often, high performers continue to perform and out-endure the competition. While there are always exceptions to the rule, we gave higher marks to manufacturers with solid reputations.
The Construction
You can tell a lot about a pair of boots or shoes by how the zippers behave. Do they pull swiftly and softly, like cutting butter? Or do they jam and snap? What about the sew? If there was threading after a few wears, we considered that a warning sign of a lack of proper construction and durability.
At the end of the day, a durable product gives you the confidence to go out and give it your best, knowing your boots can back you up. Whether you want to take it on-trail or off-trail, boots with a high score on this metric are sure to survive just as long as you.
Features
There are plenty of technological upgrades that boots have undergone throughout the years. From better waterproofing, to faux fur insulation and heat-regulating fabrics, a great boot will keep you and your feet smiling.
A lot of the snowmobile boots have insulated linings to keep your feet extra warm in the frigid temperatures. Some of these insulated liners are removable. This is, particularly, useful if the liner gets wet so that you can easily dry it out. The removable liner may create a slightly loose fit, so it’s not for longer hikes where it could cause blistering. However, if you’re using it to ride your snowmobile or snow machine, it’s perfect for keeping you extra warm. The Baffin Selkirk has a removable lining, for instance. That’s one of its top features and major pros.
In this criterion, we evaluated the top features each of the products on our list possess and ranked them accordingly to ensure you can pick out the best pair of boots for you. A higher score on this metric means the product has cool and functional features that add value to your choice.
Support
Arch support is important because it may help your foot from developing problems or aggravating existing ones. Arch support keeps your feet from falling flat while walking. This is especially important if you’re a pronator and have issues with your feet rolling while walking. Arch support should be sturdy but not uncomfortable. The Baffin Wolf is one that has good arch support.
Also, it might be a good idea to see if the insole is removable. If it is, then you can switch it out with your own orthotic replacement. There is no support quite as good as customized; and in this, a customized orthotic is great for pronators.
No matter whether you use a boot with a removable insole or one with a great non-removable insole, the support your feet get will keep you happy, healthy and comfortable all day long. In addition to preventing acute, unexpected injuries from things like slipping and falling, a supportive pair of boots will also prevent long-term, chronic conditions, ranging from over- or under-pronation to athlete's foot.
Traction
When using your snowmobile or snow machine, you will, eventually, have to walk through snow and/or over ice. Therefore, you want a boot with good tread on it. Good tread will keep you on your feet even in the slipperiest conditions. It’s especially important when you’re walking with your snowmobile. You don’t want to slip while walking your machine. The Baffin Selkirk has a good grip on the snow and the Baffin Wolf has a good grip on ice. The Sorel 1964 Premium T, also, has a good grip on ice.
The amount of grip and traction you get from your boot will depend on the materials the outsole is made of and the pattern or design the manufacturer crafted. Often, outsoles made from rubber or some synthetic compounds tend to have the greatest grip, especially in wet conditions.
As for the pattern of the thread, there are two main options:
Triangles/Squares
These are great options for preventing slips and falls; however, you may experience issues with melting ice. The triangle and square patterns tend to hold in water and can reduce traction in the wrong conditions.
Circular
Circular threads are a better option for those in wet or melting ice conditions, as it allows the drainage of excess water between the grooves. Though not as grippy as squares, it's much better for draining liquid.
Weather Resistance
You want to keep your feet dry in cold weather, so water resistance or waterproofing is vital. The boot may have the leather made upper that is treated to be water resistant. It may, also, have a rubber shell to protect the bottom from seeping water in. Lastly, it may have a waterproof lining which can, also, be quite breathable. This type of lining will help keep your feet dry and still allow for heat, moisture, and sweat to escape. The Sorel 1964 Premium T has a waterproof vulcanized rubber shell and sole which helps to protect the wearer from the water.
Frostbite occurs at low temperatures. In addition to this, exposure and dry levels, also, influence this horrendous situation. We already know the temperature is going to be low. This means that some type of insulation must be present in our footwear.
Additionally, we now need waterproofing more than ever before, as we do not want our feet and toes to become wet while, potentially, miles away from somewhere warm. In this, water resistance takes on a whole other level.
Our Favorites
1. Kamik Greenbay 4
Kamik starts off our list with the Kamik Greenbay 4. This comes with a bunch of features, such as waterproof nylon uppers to keep your feet nice and dry. It, also, has rubber outsoles and a removable liner which keeps your feet warm, yet dry. There’s, also, a lace lock snow collar.
The Rubber(He) outsole keeps the Greenbay 4 light but sturdy. It’s lighter than natural rubber but still strong. This makes for lighter footwear that is great for trekking through the snow which, at times, is already too heavy. In this design, there is an 8-mm Thermal-Guard liner. It keeps your feet warm down to -40 degrees F. Cold feet are no fun, so this is great for riding as well as any other snow activities.
The Kamik Greenbay 4 has some great features to justify its higher price range, including an adjustable strap for comfort and the Thermal-Guard liner. There is a reason it is at the top of not only our list, but many others you will find online, and you would do well to test it out.
2. FXR X Cross
Behold, the well-known design from FXR, a heavy duty boot that doesn’t compromise and doesn’t hold anything back, a true champion in the world of snow machines - the X Cross. There is nothing about this option that allows even a smidgen of cold to seep through to your skin, and it is outfitted with only the best, most hardcore technologies to keep you safe, warm, and to ease your way through piles of snow.
The X Cross comes with 600 grams of insulation, meaning that it can withstand temperatures that go as low as -40 F. It has a fixed fur lining on the inside for heat retention and fluffy comfort, as well as a BTO Thermostatic Midsole. The outsole on the X Cross has incredibly high traction, and there is a toe kick to help you clean snow and ice without any problems. The areas which come in contact with sleds have minimal seams, and there are genuine rubber reinforcements where you need them.
Complete with a lace-up closure for maximum security, there is nothing we don’t like about the X Cross. It is a design that doesn’t take any chances, and that makes sure that your feet will be cozy, dry and toasty, no matter how much time you spend outside. What more could we possibly want?
3. Kamik Nationplus
Kamik is a brand that has been around for over a century. It’s no wonder they fall on a list of bests with not only one, but two designs. This particular one is rated for -40 F degree weather. The uppers are made of thick suede, and the outsole is made of a single, molded rubber piece. It has a bold lug pattern for better traction, as well.
The Thinsulate insulation in the Kamik Nationplus is a foam lining meant to keep your feet warm; that is, the insulation in a snowmobile boot keeps your feet from freezing in cold temperatures. The moisture-wicking lining is meant to keep your feet dry. This is important on a snowmobile ride when snow is blowing up at you.
The Kamik Nationplus is budget-friendly and with some great features to boot. It has the moisture-wicking lining and the Thinsulate insulation, which make for a great deal on this product.
4. Baffin Wolf
A verified hit from Baffin is the Wolf design. This has two straps to hold you in, and an upper which repels water. A 7-layer removable synthetic liner helps to keep your feet nice and toasty. There’s a -40-degree insulation rating as well, and a fully wrapped plate for toe protection.
The outsole of the Wolf is made up of an integrated, premium-rubber compound, made for better arch support. Arch support is important because you want to be as comfortable in your winter gear as you are warm in it. The dual buckle straps and drawstring collar on this option make for an easy on and off. Additionally, they turn adjusting your boot into a simple feat, which is important when you’re speeding down snowy mountain slopes.
The Baffin Wolf boasts dual buckle straps and arch support, which not many other options on this list have. It’s, also, lighter than some other choices, so the price range is worth it for the extra features.
5. O’Neal Rider
The O’Neal Rider is a product that has been on the market for nearly 40 years. The design is meant to be a first-class rider and it features a metal toe to protect you from any hazards. The soles are rubber and made by the Goodyear Company, so they’re bound to be durable. They also have an air mesh interior, a cushioned insole, and some heel support.
The O’Neal Rider has an easy-to-operate closure system with four adjustable buckles and a snap lock. You want this on the go, especially with gloves on. The O’Neal Rider has injection-molded, plastic plates which protect against impacts. This is particularly useful when riding through flying ice and small stones.
The O’Neal Rider is in the low- to- mid-range price area. It has an easy closure system and injection-molded plates, which make for a great deal.
6. Baffin Selkirk
Baffin has been around for a quarter of a century. The Selkirk is a perfect example of their top-quality products. It has a 7-layer inner boot to keep your feet warm, and they're rated to be warmth-preserving down to -70C/-94F. In one continuous process, the sole and midsole are molded to the base. It also has a rather modern look to it.
The Baffin Selkirk has a removable lining made of Polymech foam. This is important for your foot’s comfort and cushioning. It also accounts for the little spring-back that you get when walking. The sole itself is made up of advanced thermos-set polymers. Together, they work to ensure that the correct balance of grip, warmth, low weight and protection are achieved.
The Baffin Selkirk has a great grip and a lot of extra features that you will find useful when sledding, so it is well worth the purchase.
7. Columbia Bugaboot
Ready for the outdoors in the cold of winter, the Columbia Bugaboot has 400 grams of insulation and is rated down to -40F/-40C. In addition to keeping you warm, its traction is nice and able to hold to the machine as you ride your way through the snow. Practical, this is gear for your feet which provides stability, comfort, and great, overall performance. As such, you will be glad you stepped into this pair of machine-riding delights.
With the waterproof seam-sealed construction of this pair, you can enjoy the comforts of dry feet while in snowy conditions. Dry feet also mean a better chance for warmer feet. The leather upper provides longevity as well as giving you an ample amount of support. Furthermore, the leather is utilized well to help work in conjunction with the insulation, thereby, allowing for a warm environment.
These are built well, especially when considering their toughness and warmth factor. Moreover, this is footwear which allows you to enjoy hours at a time in those not-so-friendly, colder temperatures.
8. Sorel Bear Extreme
Another Sorel makes the cut, the Sorel Bear Extreme. This one is made to keep water out with polyurethane coated uppers and fully molded rubber bottoms. It has a removable liner, made of 9-mm felt, and it should keep you warm down to -40 degrees. The lacing is simple, with three laces about the ankle and a drawstring closure at the top.
The Sorel Bear Extreme has a vulcanized rubber shell. Protecting the wearer from water, this shell is great for riding when slush splashes up at you. The Omni-heat reflective liner is meant to keep the foot warm. It’s important to keep your feet toasty in the snow, especially when riding. You want to be able to feel your feet at the end of the day.
The Sorel Bear Extreme boasts several good features, such as the vulcanized rubber shell and the Omni-heat reflective liner, and it is overall a solid, reliable choice that won't let you down in cold, icy weather.
9. Divas SnowGear Avid
An excellent choice, the Divas SnowGear Avid technical boot is impervious to wind and water; however, it’s still breathable. It is warmth rated down to -40 degrees. The Intuition Liner molds to your feet, keeping your feet nice and warm. It also comes with a Boa Closure System. In addition, it has great traction due to its aggressive lug outsole.
The easy-lace Boa Closure System makes lacing the Divas SnowGear Avid Technical a cinch, literally. Just pull the laces and cinch the closure system closed. This is great for riding because it makes tightening the laces easy and quick. The Intuition Liner molds to your feet, making sure they stay toasty warm. It doesn’t interfere with the great ankle support but does keep the inside warm and squishy; perfect for walking when you need to.
The Divas SnowGear Avid is a pricey option; however, considering its top rating and great features, it is well worth the extra cost. As such, this is worth having in your footwear collection.
10. Klim Adrenaline GTX
The Klim Adrenaline GTX is constructed with the same technology as the Klim jackets. It’s made to be warm, waterproof, light, and thin. The sole is thick, meant to give you traction on the harshest terrain. It has adequate ankle support and also features shock protection, which is great for bumpy rides as well as walking on uneven ground.
The Klim Adrenaline GTX features Gore-Tex technology to ensure that your feet stay dry. No one wants wet feet after a day of riding and walking in the snow, so this is a great addition. There is EVA foam inside of the Klim Adrenaline GTX. This provides cushioning for the foot. In this, there is comfort at the helm.
The Klim Adrenaline GTX has plenty of technology, such as the Gore-Tex technology and the EVA foam interior. It is every bit as reliable as Klim jackets, and it will make your ride easier, smoother, and warmer.
Sources
- , Frostbite, article; definition
- , 6 Steps for Choosing Snowmobile Clothing, article; blog
- , Section 1: Be Prepared for Your Ride, article
- , How To Size And Fit Snow Boots, article; blog
- , How to Select Protective Footwear,